The "A" Team

David Ziegler · Post by **David Ziegler** » 9 Jul 2006 4:09 pm

At the risk of sounding completely ignorant(which I am about many things),I see references regularly about the Nashville "A" Team. What,and who are/were the A team?

Stephan Franck · Post by **Stephan Franck** » 9 Jul 2006 5:29 pm

So speaking of the "A-TEAM", I was at the Whiskey a Go Go on Sunset Blvd a couple of weeks ago (I'm working there with Archie Francis tomorrow, btw...) and I got to meet and talk to Glen A. Larson, legendary producer of -- you guessed it -- the A-team. The one with Hannibal and A.B. Barracus! How cool is that???

Steel guitar relevance, you ask me? Well Jay Dee Maness was on stage while I was having that conversation, and of course, jay Dee played on the main credit of my favorite show: "The Fall Guy", which was also produced by Glen A Larson. I love it, when a major bit of karmic geekness comes together.

To my great dismay, GAL said there is no Fall Guy movie in the works, however, they do have an A-team movie coming up, as well as Magnum PI. So all is not lost.

About "the other A-team", take any album from a major artist out of Nashville and read the credits -- that's the A-team.

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 9 Jul 2006 5:56 pm

David
I have found over the years that the
"A Team " as used around musicians has
always been the guys/gals that get ask to do
the gigs first - if there busy ! then the rest
of us get a shot at it .
California must have different rules

Hick

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 9 Jul 2006 6:17 pm

A Team = Session Musicans who are hired for Masters and work the really big accounts in Nashville.

It would be fair to say that an example of SOME of the A Team in Nashville today are:

Electric Guitar: Brent Mason, Dann Huff, JT Corenflos
Piano: John Hobbs, Matt Rollings
Bass:Michael Rhoads
Drums:Eddie Bayers
Steel Guitar:Paul Franklin Jr, Bruce Bouton, Steve Hinson, Dan Dugmore

The A team of the 1960's and 1970's would go something like this:

Electric Guitar: James Burton, Grady Martin, Leon Rhodes, Harold Bradley
Rhythm Guitar: Ray Edenton
Piano: Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Floyd Cramer, Owen Bradley
Bass: Bob Moore, Roy Huskey
Drums:Buddy Harmon
Steel Guitar:Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Pete Drake, Jimmy Day, Hal Rugg

Am I close???

------------------
Tim Harr
Carter D-10 8p/9k, Webb 6-14E Amplifier, BOSS RV-3

[This message was edited by Tim Harr on 09 July 2006 at 07:18 PM.]

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 9 Jul 2006 6:21 pm

The A-Team was the studio musicians that were widely used in Nashville on many recordings (especially Owen Bradley projects). A lot of hit songs feature the A-Team. Chances are, if there was a hit song from Nashville, at least 1 of the A-Team if not more than 1 of'em was involved. They were the "usual crew" from about the late late 40's early 50's all the way to the 70's or so

Here's the widely accepted list of the "original"
A-Team...the term was coined because of these individuals:

Bob Moore- Bass
Buddy Harman- Drums
Grady Martin- Guitar (mainly lead)
(& other stringed things)

Ray Edenton- Guitar (mainly Rhythm)
Hank Garland- Guitar (mainly lead)

Harold Bradley- Guitar (lead & rhythm)
Boots Randolph- Sax
Charlie McCoy-Harmonica
Hargus "Pig" Robbins-Piano
The Jordanaires-Backup Vocals

When scholars mention the A-Team, the folks above are who they are talking about...there were other "A-Teams" later on but those mentioned above are "THE A-TEAM"

Owen Bradley, the famous producer, should probably be included. It's amazing how many things he produced & played on. I believe he played the organ/piano.

Obviously, Buddy Emmons, Pete Drake, Lloyd Green, Jimmy Day, Chet Atkins and the Driftin' Cowboys should be considered almost a subdivision of the A-Team.

For more info on the A-Team:
http://www.nashvillesound.net/Nashville_sound.htm

It's a great website with tons of info, links & even some audio clips.

Hope that helps!!!

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Carter-Starter, Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion, Guyatone Double-neck, a cheap Artisan & a Homemade Double-neck!
[This message was edited by Casey Lowmiller on 09 July 2006 at 07:24 PM.][This message was edited by Casey Lowmiller on 09 July 2006 at 07:25 PM.]

Marlin Smoot · Post by **Marlin Smoot** » 9 Jul 2006 6:34 pm

Further Back includes:
Chet Atkins -guitar
Floyd Cramer-keys
Bob Moore-bass
Hank Garland-guitar
Johnny Gimbel-fiddle(sp?)

Others:
Hargus "Pig" Robbins-keys
Reggie Young-Guitar
Laurie Loundon-Drums (sp?)
Buddy Emmons-steel
Weldon Myrick-steel
Hal Rugg-Steel
Lloyd Green-steel...
and really the list can be even longer.

The "A" team was made up of a few players depending on the year that producers know would give them what they wanted thus, the 'formula" for making hit records.

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 9 Jul 2006 7:14 pm

The "A Team," in its correct usage, refers to the fine players that made it possible for the current crop to do what we do. The current studio guys, while fine players, are NOT the "A Team." The older names listed above are correct.

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Mikey D...

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 9 Jul 2006 9:37 pm

So, it was the Nashville/Country version of L.A.'s "The Wrecking Crew" (Hal Blaine, Earl Palmer, Leon Russell, Glen Campbell, Carol Kaye, etc.) back in in the sixties?

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Mike
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Blue Moon Highway
(Country Music...and then some.)
www.bluemoonhighway.com

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 9 Jul 2006 10:47 pm

Don't forget Joe Osborne, Tommy Tedesco, and my personal hero, Larry Knechtel....

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 10 Jul 2006 1:38 am

Basically anybody Lloyd Green contracted for a high level session,
during his main session band leader days fits this billing.

They had to be as fast, clean and tasty as Lloyd himself.
That's A list for sure.

On the modern list, John Jorgenson on guitar,
would be in there to when he is in town.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 10 July 2006 at 02:39 AM.]

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 10 Jul 2006 2:49 am

So let me see if I got this right..

The A Team was labled 3 or 4 decades ago with the Session players who were lucky enough to answer the phone when it rang..( fine players too by the way , the best..)

Oh, and by the way, make no mistake, many many session players got the gig because they were lucky enough to be there when the phone rang.

ok, back on topic, 3 or 4 decades later, the current session players that are called every Monday are NOT considered the A team anymore ?

The A Team stopped ? There was only 1 A Team ?

I do not think that is the case, The A Team is a moving reference, I think that every session player who is considered the REGULAR to be called knows that on any given Monday the phone could stop ringing and a NEW A TEAM member may have entered the arena.

Studio time is booked, they don't wait on Musicians. They call the next guy or gal...

The reference above that refers to Mason, Hobbs, Rollings, PFranklin Jr, Bayers, and Rhodes is the reference to the current A Team for sessions. It does not mean that they are the only players in town but what it means is that individually and together they have earned the respect and reputation that they can get the job done within the alloted session block of time. No hassle guarantee if you will.

For any of us to equate the A Team to only a group of Musicians from 3 or 4 decades ago is not quite accurate.

I was speaking with one very famous Steel Player, has a Sho-Bud named after him, in conversation one time he referenced that when he was a member of the A Team..etc...this was in conversation referring to his retirement from sessions...

This very famous player obviously thinks the A Team analogy is a moving reference as well.

For my money, the A Team reference refers to those players that a producer trys to get FIRST...

John Drury · Post by **John Drury** » 10 Jul 2006 2:56 am

Marlin,

I'm thinking Sonny Garrish would fit right in with that bunch.

------------------
John Drury
NTSGA #3

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 10 Jul 2006 3:20 am

Tony, the "A Team" label was never intended as a moving reference, I believe... although that's arguable, and I'm sure there are players that would love it to be. I'd like to know for sure who coined the label to begin with.

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Mikey D...

[This message was edited by Michael Douchette on 10 July 2006 at 04:20 AM.]

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 10 Jul 2006 4:32 am

Harold Bradley would also be listed as the A team "tic tac" 6 string bass player in the original era A team.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 10 Jul 2006 4:44 am

Marlin, that drummer you mentioned is Larry London, not Laurie ....

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 10 Jul 2006 5:48 am

Don't forget Junior Husky and Henry Strelecki on bass in the fifties and sixties.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 10 Jul 2006 6:20 am

I've heard this term used for several decades, whether it be LA session players or the Nashville crew. I had never heard it as a reference to only a select group of players from an earlier era, perhaps the original A Team..

If it was intended to speak to only a few individuals then I totally misunderstood the phrase .

To my way of thinking it is possible for many great skilled Studio master musicians to move in and out of the catagory over the tenure of a career.

regardless, I'm not on any A Team anywhere.. not even B C D E or F..maybe F Troop

happy monday

t

Bob Tuttle · Post by **Bob Tuttle** » 10 Jul 2006 6:30 am

Remember Jerry Byrd?

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 10 Jul 2006 7:02 am

The usage of the term "A-Team" has been thrown around alot. It was originally coined to describe the folks that I mentioned above...that was the true A-Team.
Back in the day, when you recorded in Nashville, it was a general rule that you didn't use your road band...it was accepted that you would have to use studio musicians & the studio musicians that were mainly used were the A-Team.

It was never really meant to transcend the ages & mean other groups of musicians...but it has become a way to mean the main/elite group of studio musicians in Nashville.

If you research it online or in several good reference books you'll find that the
A-Team is the group of folks that I mentioned...without those folks, alot of the classic hits wouldn't have that sound & may or may not have become such classics.

The A-Team was great...they played wonderfully together. As often as they played together, you could probably consider them the greatest unofficial country band of all time...and of course, most of the time, they didn't receive enough credit. There are soooooo many great songs that they played on.

When you get down to it...I think everyone that has posted a list is correct in one way or another. There's the original A-Team & all the other A-Teams.

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Carter-Starter, Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion, Guyatone Double-neck, a cheap Artisan & a Homemade Double-neck!

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 10 Jul 2006 7:06 am

Though it may have in fact referred to the stellar original roster (which came after Jerry Byrd was doing a lot of sessions), it seems to me that it has become acceptable to use today, instead of having to resort to some longish phrase like "contemporary top session players" or whatever.

To say that it shouldn't refer to the modern players is sort of like saying the only REAL Green Bay Packers were the Vince Lombardi coached squad from the 60's with players like Bart Starr, Jim Taylor, Paul Hornung, etc. And the more contemporary Packers of Brett Favre fame that had some major success shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence.

So "A" team has become a term of convenience, which seems perfectly legit to me.

You might add Glen Worf on bass to go along with Michael Rhodes. And Richard Bennett on guitar.

Other instrumentalists that would certainly qualify are Jerry Douglas, Rob Ickes, and Randy Kohrs on dobro, and Stuart Duncan on fiddle. The list of the number of Nashville recordings on which these guys have played is very, very long.

No one is being disrespectful of leaving off Jerry Byrd, I think as an industry, the Nashville recording scene just wasn't nearly the big business in Jerry's era there that it became later, and having the concept of an "A" Team of a relatively small group of "hired guns" to play the top sessions probably wasn't in vogue during Jerry's era in Nashville.

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Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 10 July 2006 at 04:10 PM.][This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 11 July 2006 at 03:33 AM.]

Casey Lowmiller · Post by **Casey Lowmiller** » 10 Jul 2006 7:27 am

Jerry Byrd really should be included as a member of "THE A-TEAM". He played on alot of great stuff & didn't receive enough credit.

I think people should use "THE A-TEAM" to signify the originals & use the A-Team to describe the other A-Teams. There should be a way to differentiate between all of'em.

Casey

------------------
Known Coast to Coast as
"The Man with The Plan"

Carter-Starter, Fender Pedal 800, Fender Champion, Guyatone Double-neck, a cheap Artisan & a Homemade Double-neck!

Bob Hickish · Post by **Bob Hickish** » 10 Jul 2006 12:31 pm

Jerry was on the A teem in his day
along with Little Roy & others
and then come , Buddy & Lloyd with
a new sound So they were the A teem
- that's what Tony is saying !
There are some here on the forum today
that will be tomorrow's A Teem !

Just My Opinion ! But Tony's right on !

Hick

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 10 Jul 2006 1:10 pm

All these "A Team" list and no one has mentioned Bobby Thompson?
Do you guys have somethin' against "The A Team" banjo pickers?

Marlin Smoot · Post by **Marlin Smoot** » 10 Jul 2006 6:44 pm

I would guess there's always an "A Team" in Nashville...and the players that move in and out of that team are tops in their field.

As you can see from the many postings, there were quite a few "A Team" players.
This "team" is not just limited to 5 or 6 set players but has a rather long and impressive list.

The phrase was coined "A team" but there are many that could fill the positions on their respective instruments.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 10 Jul 2006 9:31 pm

I doubt that the earlier guys were known as the 'A Team' - I expect the expression didn't find favour until that TV show of the same name blighted our screens....

RR
PS: It IS a rather convenient and appropriate term, though!